Lately App Gamifies Time Management to Help People with ADHD Arrive on Time
A new iOS app called Lately is making waves for its unique approach to helping users—especially those with ADHD—arrive at their destinations on time by turning punctuality into a game.
Launched recently on the App Store, Lately sends timely reminders 30, 10, and 5 minutes before departure, using Live Activities on iPhone and Apple Watch to display a real-time countdown.
The app’s standout feature is its point reward system, designed with four difficulty levels. Users can earn or lose points based on how punctual they are. At the easiest “Goldfish” level, arriving early earns 3 points, on-time earns 2 points, and being late earns 0 points. The toughest “Yoda” level penalizes late arrivals by deducting 2 points.
Accumulated points unlock charming virtual characters, offering users a sense of progress and motivation. Although simple, this system is backed by research that shows rewards can be highly effective for individuals with ADHD struggling with time blindness and motivation.
A Personal Mission
Erik MacInnis, the indie developer behind Lately, was inspired by his personal struggles with lateness.
“For many of us, the toughest challenges to leaving on time are time blindness and poor time estimation,” MacInnis told TechCrunch. “Lately addresses both by keeping users aware and making timeliness feel rewarding.”
Although similar apps exist, such as Time to Leave on Android, MacInnis believes most are outdated and don’t address ADHD-specific needs. While task management apps like Structured and TickTick exist, they lack real-time, travel-focused time management tools.
Room for Improvement
In tests, Lately performed well but lacked options for estimating public transport and bike commuting times. Currently, it supports only driving and walking modes.
Still, with ADHD users often benefiting from gamified motivation systems—similar to the popular self-care app Finch—Lately seems poised for success.
MacInnis has ambitious plans, including future social features that will notify friends when a user leaves, is five minutes away, or arrives. An Android version is also on the horizon.
Lately is available for free, with a premium subscription ($3 per month or $10 per year) unlocking additional features like customized difficulty levels and recurring trip schedules.
